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H. H* KABNICK ORAL IRRIGATOR Feb. 7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 10,l 1952 INVENTOR HERBERT H. KAaNlcK [SY/Mwm ATTORNEYS Feb. 7. 1956 2,733,713

H. H. KABNlcK ORAL IRRIGATOR Filed Oct. l0. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HERBERT H. KABN |c| |12 r BY ATTORNEYS ORAL IRRIGAroR Herbert H. Kabnick, New York, N. Y. Application october 1o, 1952, serial No. 314,164

6 Claims. (c1. 12s- 230) This invention relates to fluid mechanisms and more particularly to a fluid irrigator having a motor driven pump and novel control means.

More particularly this invention relates to an oral irrigator as a novel means for cleansing the mouth and teeth by a fluid jet or spray, and will be disclosed in its preferred embodiment as a means of cleansing the teeth. However, the irrigator of the subject invention is adaptable to innumerable uses where it is desired to irrigate or cleanse with a treating tluid.

Tooth decay for a great part is dependent on the cleanliness of the tooth and in this respect the toothbrush has been found an ineifectual method of cleaning. In pyorrhea cases the patient suifers gum recessions which cause pockets where minute food particles can easily lodge and decay. The knownV methods of brushing the teeth have been found ineffectual to dislodge these food particles with the result that the decay of the food continues and the treatment of the pyorrhea patient is retarded. Orthodontists have also encountered similar diculty since in the process of straightening the teeth the structure mounted on the teeth provides a barrier to effectual brushing or cleansing. Further the normal everyday cleansing of the teeth by means of a brush in addition to being ineffectual with the consequent result of food impactions interproximally causing putrication of the food and halitosis has also been found to be injurious to the tender membranes of which the gums are constituted.

Further there have been no prior art devices, to the best of my knowledge, which provide for the complete and gentle cleansing of the mouth and teeth by means of a fluid jet or spray.

The present invention provides a novel portable device equally adaptable for home or commercial use as a means of properly and completely cleaning the mouth and teeth, which obviates the detrimental and injurious effects to the delicate oral structure caused by devices heretofore known and used, such as the various brushing mechanisms.

It is therefore a major object of the present invention to provide a novel portable fluid irrigator of simple and rugged inexpensive construction;

` It is another objectV of the invention to provide a novel fluid oral irrigator as a means of completely and gently cleansing the mouth and teeth without detrimental effect on the delicate oral structure; s AIt is a further object of this invention to provide a novel iluid irrigator embodying a motor driven pump and novel control means therefor;

`it is still another object of this invention to provide a novel fluid irrigator embodying an electric motor driven centrifugal pump and having a novel electric and hydraulic control for the motor and pump;

lt is an additional object of thisinvention to provide `a novel iluid irrigator vhaving a major portion thereof of transparent plastic for `hygienic reasons, to permit observation' of the fluid level, and to result in a less expensive fdevic'ef4 l..

i United States Patent O It lis yet another object of this invention `to provide a novel valve mechanism;

It is still a further object of this invention to provide` will appear as the description proceeds in connection withV the appended claims and the annexed drawings wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view of the novel uid irri gator showing the motor, receptacle, control mechanism, and partly broken away to show the pump support and pump;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial vertical sectional view of the novel fluid valve and electrical switch, showing the valve in closed position and the switch in open or non-conducting position;

Figure 5 is a partial vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial vertical sectional view similar to Figure 4 only showing the valve in open position and the switch in closed or conducting position;

Figure 7 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the novel flexible valve and the attachment of the nozzle assembly;

Figure 8 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the details of an adjustable nozzle tip; and

Figure 9 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the details of a plain nozzle tip. i

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, 20 generally indicates the fluid irrigator having an electric motor 22 with a wall bracket 24 secured thereto for detachably mounting the unit as for example on Wall 26 by means of keyhole slot 28 and screw 30.

Receptacle cover member 32, preferably of a transparent plastic material such as Lucite, is secured to the drive shaft end of motor 22 as by armature screws 34 and is provided with a central opening 36 for drive shaft 38 to extend through and which lits closely about integral boss 40 on motor 22. Peripheral groove 42 having` a pair of diametrically opposed slots 44 extending through is provided in cover member 32.

Fluid receptable 46, preferably of transparent plastic such as Lucite, having a pair of opposed bayonets 48 ts into the peripheral groove with bayonets 48 extending through slots 44. A partial clockwise rotation of the receptacle secures it to the cover since the overhanging portions 50 of bayonets 48 engage a solid portion of cover 32.

Axially bored collar 52, preferably of plastic, is secured to the underside of cover 32, within the receptacle, as by screws 54. Hollow cylindrical pump support 56, preferably of transparent plastic, is secured to collar 52 and extends substantially to the bottom of receptacle 46. Cylinder 56 is provided with a plurality of peripheral openings 58 and an enlarged opening 60 whereby treating uid in the receptacle is permitted to flow into hollow cylinder 56 for a purpose which shall become apparent.

Centrifugal pump 62 is mounted on the lower end of cylinder 56 in close proximity to the bottom of receptacle 46. Pump 62 comprises a top cover member 64 provided with an axial bore for shaft extension 66, secured to drive shaft 38 as by couple 68, to extend therethrough. Peripheral groove 70 in the top cover member receives the end of cylinder 56 and is secured thereto by suitable means to form a leakproof joint. Recessed turbine housing 72 is secured in leakproof attachment to top cover member 64, as by screws 74, to form a turbine or pumping chamber therebetween. Turbine wheel 76, preferably of plastic, is threadedly mounted on extension 66 in abutting relation with washer 7S for free rotation within the turbine chamber. The end of extension 66 abuts a bearing member 80,.preferably of bronze, axially mounted in turbine housing 72. A series of openings 82 are disposed in turbine `housing 72 about the periphery of bearing member and provide an underside inlet for the turbine, for a purpose which will become apparent.

Extension bushing 84 fits into the bore in top cover member 64 and has a close running fit with extension 66 to support the extension for accurate rotation. A series of inlet openings 86 'extend through bushing 84 to provide upper inlets for the turbine chamber. Outlet opening 88 tangentially connects to the turbine chamber and is provided at its outer end with a plastic fitting 90 for purpose which will be apparent.

Outlet conduit generally designated 92 comprises a tubular plastic member Y94 secured in leakproof relation, by suitable means, to fitting 90 and extends out of cover member 32 through opening 96. A 360 rotatable cou- ,i

pling fitting 98 secures flexible conduit 100 to tubular conduit 94. The opposite end of flexible conduit 100 is also provided with a coupling fitting 102 for coupling the flexible conduit tothe control means, generally designated 104. v

Referring now to Figures 4 through 7 there is shown the details of the control means, generally designated 104, which comprises a body 106, preferably of plastic, having oppositely extending tubular portions 10S and 110. Passage 112 extends through tubular portion 108 and substantially through body 106 and connects with passage 114 of larger diameter which extends through tubular portion and partially through body 106. A flexible tubular member 116 having rigid fittings 118 and 1.20 atL opposite ends is mounted in passage 114 and is sealed, by suitable means between the passage walls and the periphery of fittings 118 and 120 for a reason which will become apparent. Body 106 is provided with a transverse slot Y122 connected to passage 114 whereby a portion'of flexible tubing 116 is exposed to the interior of body 106..

Valve closure member 124 ispivotally mounted intermediate its ends on pivot screw 126 extending through the walls of body 106 and is provided at one end with a dependent portion 128 of greater length than the total depth of slot 122 and the diameter of tubular member 116. Spring 130 mounted in recess 132 of body 106 engages one face of `closure member 124 at one side of the pivot pin while spring 134 mounted in a recess 136 in'pad 138 of cover 140 engages the opposite Vface of closure member 124 at the other side of the pivot pin. As a result there is a coupling force exerted on closure member 124 forcing portion 128 into compressive engagement with tube V116 to force the walls of tube 116 together and form a hydraulically leakproof valve.

Actuator 142 is slidably mounted in a bore in cover and engages the end of closure member 124 opposite dependent portion 128. Thus it will be seen that pressure on actuator 142 will move dependent portion 128 away from contact with tube 116 and permit tube 116 due to its own natural resiliency to open and permit fluid to flow therethrough. Release of actuator 142 will permit closure member 124.to be biased by springs 130 and 134 back to tube compressing or valve closing position. Also mounted in body 106 is an electrical switch to be simultaneously opened and closed with the opening and closing of the tube valve 116. A pair of spaced electrical lcontacts 144 and 146 are mounted in body 106 and cover 140 respectively in spaced relation as by screws 148. Upper contact 146 is a resilient leaf spring or cantilever beam normally biased against closure member 124'when in valve closing-position,asbest seen in Figure 4. l':`.lectr'ical leads 150 and 152 from eletric'motor 22 are connected to contacts 144 and 146 respectively.

When actuator 1 42A is depressed to open tube valve 116 the contacting end of closure member 124 forces cantilever contact 146 into engagement with contact 144 to close the electrical circuit and start the motor at the same time the tube valve 116 is opened.

Cover 140 has a dependent rearward portion 154 which is secured to body 106.by pins 156 while the forward portion of the cover is held on the body by screw 158 passing through body 106 and -pavd 1'38.

Nozzle 160 is threadedly secured to tubular portion 110 by hollow fitting 162. A tube 164 flared at one end is slidably and non-removably vmounted in fitting 162 so that the flared end intimately fits over an elongated tapered portion of fitting 120. Spring 166 mounted on tube 164 bears against fitting 162 and the flared end of tube 164 to force the tube into leakproof contact with the tapered portion of fitting 120. Thus a rotatable leakproot` joint is provided between nozzle 162 and tube 116.

The other end of tube 164 is provided with a plain hollow tip 168, suitably secured to the tube, having an enlarged internal chamber and small oriflce 170 from which a jet of fluid is emitted, as best seen in Figure 9.

ln Figure 8 there is shown an adjustable nozzle 172. ln this embodiment tube 164 is provided with a threaded end 174 and an `integral stop collar 176 adjacent the inner end of the threads. Disc 178 is force fitted into the end'of tube 164 and is provided with a series of fluid openings 180 therethrough. Elongated dispersion element 182 having a cone shaped end 184 is rigidly axially secured to disc 178. Hollow tip 186 having an enlarged internal chamber is adjustably threaded on tube 164 so that orifice 188 can beadjustably positioned relative to cone shaped yend 184 to vary the flow stream from a concentrated jet to a -fine spray.

ln operation receptacle 46 is filled with a 'treating fluid such as a disinfectant, dent'rifice solution, or the like and mounted by means of the bayonet attachment to cover 32. The centrifugal 4pump y62 is thus immersed in the treating fluid and treating fluid is allowed to pass through openings 58 and 60 to upper pump inlets 86 and treating fluid is also allowed to pass to the pump from lower pump inlets82. When it is desired to perform an irrigation operation the control means 104 is taken in the hand and the nozzle tip A'168 or 186 is directed toward the object to be irrigated; actuator 142 is depressed which simultaneously opens tube yvalve 116 and closes switch contacts 144 and 146 to start the motor to run the pump. The pump then draws fluid through its inlets and forces it through outlet 88 through conduit 100 and finally out of the nozzle. As soon as the irrigation is complete releasing of actuator 142 will lsimultaneously close tube valve 116 and stop motor 22 and consequently pump 62.

With the exception ofr'n'otor 22, and a few other elements that necessarily must be of other materials I have constructed my novel irrigator of plastic since this material readily lends itself to fabrication into various forms. Additionally the use of plastic permits observation lof the treating fluid level at all times, permits easy observation of the device should any malfunction occur, as well as resulting in a less expensivelightweight portable unit.

My novel composite switch and valve also provides an unique means of combining ahydraulic valve with an electrical switch thatis completely safe and with no opportunity of a short-circuit due to fluid reaching the electrical contacts.

I have provided lower inlets'82 in-the pump so that when the treating fluid level falls below the level of upper inlets the device can be still operated, by drawing fluid through inlets 82, without the necessity of removing and refilling the receptacle.

The rotatable connections vof conduit 100 and nozzles 160 and. 172 permit rotation of the conduit and nozzles to any desired direction while the angulated configuration of tube 164 also permits a proper directing of the stream in any direction.

Thus it will be seen that I have invented a novel portable irrigator that is readily and inexpensively adaptable to home or commercial use which provides a means of irrigation or cleansing, particularly with regard to the oral cavity and teeth, that has heretofore been unknown in the art.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore ntended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

l. An irrigator comprising a receptacle for a treating fluid; a selectively actuated and non-actuated driving means mounted on said receptacle; circulating means on said receptacle drivingly connected to said driving means to be driven thereby; inlet means connecting said circulating means to said receptacle whereby lluid passes to said circulating means; a selectively opened and closed outlet conduit operatively connected to said circulating means for receiving tiuid forced from said circulating means; and control means operatively connected to said driving means and conduit for selectively simultaneously actuating said driving means and opening said conduit to liuid flow and for simultaneously stopping said driving means and closing said conduit to fluid ow; said control means being a composite control comprising a body hav ing a fluid passage therethrough connected to said conduit, a closure member in said body alternately selec tively movable to passage opening and closing position to alternately permit and prevent Huid ow in said conduit, an actuator on said body for selectively moving said closure member, and means in said body connected to said driving means alternately selectively engageable with said closure member for actuation and non-actuation of said driving means.

2. An irrigator comprising, a selectively actuated electric motor; a pump drivingly connected to said motor to be driven thereby; a receptacle for a treating fluid mounted on said motor; inlet means connecting said pump to said receptacle whereby uid is drawn into said pump from said receptacle; outlet means in said pump for directing fluid therefrom; a selectively opened and closed conduit operatively connected to said outlet for directing outlet fluid from said pump; means on said conduit deiining a nozzle for controlling the stream of fluid owing from the conduit; and control means operatively associated with said conduit and motorfor selectively simultaneously actuating said motor and opening said conduit to fluid flow and stopping said motor and closing said conduit to iluid flow, said control means comprising a body, a exible member in said body having a passage therethrough connected to said conduit, a closure member in said body selectively movable to compress and release said flexible member to alternately open and close said passage to iiuid ow, an actuator on said body for selectively moving said closure member, and a switch in said body connected to said motor selectively engageable with said closure member to alternately open and close said switch simultaneously -with the closing and opening of said passage to start and stop said motor.

3. An irrigator comprising, a selectively actuated electric motor; a pump drivingly connected to said motor to be driven thereby; a receptacle cover member mounted on said motor; a receptacle for a treating tiuid; means detachably securing said receptacle to said cover member; inlet means connecting said pump to said receptacle whereby fluid is drawn from said receptacle; outlet means in said pump for directing fluid therefrom; a selectively opened and closed conduit operatively connected to said outlet for directing outlet Huid from said pump; a nozzle on said conduit for controlling the stream of uid flowing from the conduit; and a composite switch and valve operatively connected to said electric motor and conduit for selectively simultaneously actuating said motor and opening said conduit to fluid ow and stopping said motor and closing said conduit to uid flow.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said rst mentioned means comprises a bayonet connection between said cover and receptacle whereby said receptacle is easily secured to and removed from said cover member.

, 5. An irrigator comprising a receptacle for a treating fluid; a selectively actuated and non-actuated electric motor mounted on said receptacle; a centrifugal pumpn said receptacle drivingly connected to said electric motor to be driven thereby; inlets in said pump open to the interior of said receptacle whereby iluid is drawn from said receptacle; an alternately selectively opened and closed outlet conduit connected to said pump; an ad justable nozzle to vary the lluid ow from a fine spray to a concentrated stream, rotatably connected to said conduit whereby said fluid can be directed in a plurality of directions; and control means operatively connected to said electric motor and conduit to selectively simu1 taneously actuate the electric motor and open the conduit to uid flow and for simultaneously stopping said electric motor and closing the conduit to fluid iiow; said control means being a composite control comprising a body having a uid passage therethrough connected to said conduit, a closure member in said body alternately selectively movable to passage opening and closing position to alternately permit and prevent fluid flow in said conduit, an actuator on said body for selectively moving said closure member, and means in said body connected to said driving means alternately selectively engageable with said closure member for actuation and non-actuation of said driving means.

6. A valve comprising a housing having a uid passage therethrough; a compressible member forming a wall in said passage; a closure member in said housing selectively movable to compress and release said compressible member to alternately open and close said passage to fluid iiow; resilient means normally biasing said closure member to passage closing position; electric switch control means in said housing and actuator means on said housing operatively engaging said closure member and switch means to selectively move said closure member to passage vopening position whereby uid is allowed to tlow through said passage, and simultaneously close said switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,792,245 Robinson Feb. 10, 1931 l 2,197,995 Crowley Apr. 23, 1940 2,295,982 Widman Sept. 15, 1942 2,634,885 North Apr. 14, 1953 

